After the fact

In addition to being a good competitor, all runners must learn the graceful art of losing. No matter their talent level, even the best sometimes don't come out on top. On the days when asthma acts up, pneumonia clogs the lungs, a dog dies, or it's just a plain old terrible race, it's important to remember that the competition isn't just about winning-- it's also a test of personal character, and this character shows through very distinctly in times of failure. Truly embracing the sport of running means handling a loss with poise, control, and respect. When the inevitable second place comes, a true competitor is able to gracefully accept the results. I've seen every manner of failure, from the first seed girl who drops out of the race to the struggling first-year runner frustrated at being stuck in the back of the pack. I struggle with perpetual discontent at what i feel is inadequacy, so I personally understand the inclination to yell, cry, pout, or lash out. But running is about so much more than just the act of running; it's about the mentality, the challenges, the lessons learned, the progress made. I've had some wonderful examples of gracious athletes in my time to guide me through these aspects of the sport. One graduated a couple years ago but, in the time that I knew her, taught me how to separate the athletes I knew from the competitors I saw in races. In a race, the other girls are meant to be passed, but after the race is over, they become human beings again, with thoughts, feelings, and a desire to win just like everyone else. Though they may have been competition a few short minutes prior, across the finish line they are to be respected with a handshake and a congratulations, no matter if they beat me or not. The other role model is still on my team and reminds me constantly, through not only words but also actions, that runners must have a short memory. It's okay to be disappointed but dwelling on a poor race will not help anyone. She shows me how to conduct myself in all situations and I really look up to her. Through my experience and the lessons I've learned from these girls, I've constructed some rules for myself that help me keep my emotions in check in times of disappointment. 1) The finish line is in a public place, so remember that you are being watched. Tears, while sometimes inevitable, are better shed in your own room later that night. At the very least try to postpone the waterworks until the cool down. 2) Sportsmanship is not an option, it is a requirement. You will shake hands if necessary, congratulate your competitors, and look them in the eye while doing so. This is the bare minimum requirement. 3) Don't let people know you want to beat them. This general rule encourages me to remember that after the brace, we are no longer competitors. We are all human beings with the desire to win but we also have feelings, and being competitive outside of the race can lead to really catty, hurtful behavior. 4) No passive aggressiveness, and no silent treatment. Though you may want to just curl up in a ball or hip check that annoying girl for drafting off you and then passing you at the last moment, remember that the rules are different during the race. Going into it you accepted the stakes, and you must now accept the outcome. Snarkily taking anger out on others won't change it. 5) Don't be fake. People can tell if you're blowing smoke, and finish line congratulations should be real or shouldn't be said at all. 6) Don't make excuses for a bad race. If there was legitimately something wrong, it's fine to acknowledge, but constantly blaming others or the conditions ruins your credibility and makes you seem like a whiner. It's best to accept the honest truth that not all races are perfect and it's okay to accept your own shortcomings. 7) Most importantly, have a short memory. Take a lesson from each race, but otherwise don't let one failure bring you down. It's no good to dwell on something in the past; take the energy and put it towards something useful to improve future races. I hope that someday I can follow these rules as well as the girls I run with. Graceful competition is a much more productive and enjoyable experience than poor sportsmanship, and if we could all accept a bum race and move on, the running world would be a much brighter place. I'm making a personal commitment to have a better post-race attitude because, though often overlooked, what happens after the race is as important as what happens during it.